CN103800038B - The system improved and device are for the mechanical property determining destination organization - Google Patents

The system improved and device are for the mechanical property determining destination organization Download PDF

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CN103800038B
CN103800038B CN201210451053.6A CN201210451053A CN103800038B CN 103800038 B CN103800038 B CN 103800038B CN 201210451053 A CN201210451053 A CN 201210451053A CN 103800038 B CN103800038 B CN 103800038B
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ultrasonic
interest
signal
shearing wave
driving pulse
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CN103800038A (en
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程刚
谭伟
克里斯托弗.哈泽德
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General Electric Co
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/48Diagnostic techniques
    • A61B8/485Diagnostic techniques involving measuring strain or elastic properties

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a kind of ultrasonic probe, and this ultrasonic probe is configured to region of interest emission ultrasound wave and receives the ultrasound wave being reflected back from this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest is carried out imaging.This ultrasonic probe is further configured under the effect of ultrasonic driving pulse signal to act on the acoustic radiation motive force of sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform to this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest produces sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform under the effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of this sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform.The present invention also discloses elastogram system based on shearing wave.

Description

The system improved and device are for the mechanical property determining destination organization
Technical field
Embodiment disclosed by the invention relates to system and device, particularly to system and the dress of a kind of improvement Put for the mechanical property determining destination organization.
Background technology
As a kind of emerging Angiography, elastography (shear based on shearing wave Wave-based elasticity imaging or elastography) achieve bigger development in recent years.Typically For, may determine that some mechanical properties of tissue by carrying out shearing wave elastogram, such as viscoelasticity, And then, can be assisted by the viscoelasticity information obtained determine this specifically tissue whether with some pathology disease Shape is associated.It is said that in general, actual carry out shearing wave elastogram time can relate to several operating procedure, One of them operating procedure is: by ultrasonic probe or external device (ED) such as external vibrator, to target Tissue area-of-interest apply an acoustic radiation motive force, with under the effect of this acoustic radiation motive force Area-of-interest produces shearing wave.When this shearing wave is propagated in targeted tissue, in destination organization and week thereof The region enclosed produces time dependent shearing motion or shearing wave displacement.Shearing wave elastogram another An outer step is: by producing, to by acoustic radiation motive force effect, the peripheral region that shearing wave moves Multiple transmitting ultrasonography follow wave beams, and receive the ultrasound echo signal returned by the plurality of point reflection, because of This, specifically can be processed by the ultrasound echo signal receiving these, such as, by one A little known methods or algorithm, such as cross-correlation method and method based on model etc., such that it is able to Determine the various characterisitic parameters of shearing wave, such as, the spread speed of shearing wave or speed.Owing to shearing The relation determined is there is, therefore, based on cutting that this determines between wave property parameter and the mechanical property of tissue Cut wave property parameter (such as, the spread speed of shearing wave or speed) and may further determine that out tissue Mechanical property, such as, viscoelasticity etc., with auxiliary tissue is analyzed, diagnoses or treats.
In elastogram system based on shearing wave known at least some, above-mentioned acoustic radiation motive force Produce usually in the following way: act on one or more and there is the super of square wave pattern or pulse pattern Sound driving pulse signal is to ultrasonic probe, and this ultrasonic driving pulse has specific time span, then should The driving pulse signal of telecommunication is converted into mechanical ultrasound wave by ultrasonic probe.From the point of view of frequency domain, this square wave Pattern or the driving pulse signal of pulse pattern it is understood that become, by multiple, there is different frequency value Signal averaging forms.Therefore, under the effect of the driving pulse signal of this square wave pattern or pulse pattern, The shearing wave produced also has the component of multiple frequency.In order to be able to observation shearing baud at characteristic frequency Property parameter or be organized in the mechanical property parameter at characteristic frequency, this shearing wave elastogram system is usually Need to configure post processing circuitry or processing routine, such as Fourier-transform circuitry/program, filter circuit/ Programs etc., to extract and to process the data relevant to characteristic frequency.But, these post-processing operation, example As, filtering operation can cause the mechanical property of characterisitic parameter and the tissue that cannot accurately determine shearing wave to be joined Number etc..
Therefore, it is necessary to provide the system and method for a kind of improvement to solve existing system and method exists Technical problem.
Summary of the invention
Because technical problem mentioned above, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a kind of technical scheme, This technical scheme includes for determining the viscoelastic device of destination organization.This device includes ultrasonic driving pulse Generation unit, the first ultrasonic probe unit, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity computing unit.Should Ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is configured to the finger with signal specific waveform preset according at least one Make pulse width or the dutycycle of the multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal of Signal Regulation.This first ultrasonic probe Unit communicates to connect with this driving pulse generation unit, and this first ultrasonic probe unit is configured to according to being somebody's turn to do The ultrasonic driving pulse signal function acoustic radiation with certain pulses width or dutycycle after multiple regulations Motive force is to the area-of-interest of this destination organization, to produce at least one interested at this destination organization The shearing wave propagated in region, this acoustic radiation motive force and the waveform of shearing wave that is generated by are with this extremely The waveform of a few command signal is corresponding.This shearing wave computing unit is configured at least based on acquisition The data relevant to the shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of this destination organization calculate this shearing wave Characterisitic parameter.This viscoelasticity computing unit communicates to connect with this shearing wave computing unit, and this viscoelasticity calculates Unit is configured to the shearing wave characteristic ginseng of the area-of-interest at least based on this this destination organization calculated Number calculates the viscoelastic data of the area-of-interest of this destination organization.
In the device provided, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is further configured to refer to according to sine Make pulse width or the dutycycle of the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal of Signal Regulation.
In the device provided, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is further configured to according to by having First component of first frequency waveform and have second frequency waveform second component synthesis this at least one Command signal regulates pulse width or the dutycycle of the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal.
In the device provided, this first ultrasonic probe unit is further configured to according to many groups provided Ultrasonic pulse driving signal effect multiple acoustic radiation motive force is to the area-of-interest of this destination organization, and these are many Group ultrasonic pulse driving signal produces according to the command signal of different frequency and forms, this viscoelasticity computing unit It is further configured to calculate the viscoelastic data that the area-of-interest of this tissue varies with frequency.
In the device provided, this device farther includes the first radiating circuit, produces with reference to ultrasonic pulse Unit, and follow the trail of ultrasonic pulse generation unit.This first radiating circuit produces with this ultrasonic driving pulse Unit electrically connects, and this first radiating circuit is configured to surpassing the generation of this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit Sound driving pulse signal is transferred to this first ultrasonic probe unit.This reference ultrasonic pulse generation unit with should First radiating circuit electrical connection, this reference ultrasonic pulse generation unit is configured to produce with reference to ultrasonic pulse Signal, and by this first radiating circuit to this reference ultrasonic pulsative signal sent this first ultrasonic probe list Unit;This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit electrically connects with this first radiating circuit.This tracking ultrasonic pulse is produced Raw unit is configured to produce a series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal, and by this first radiating circuit by this one Series is followed the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal and is sent this first ultrasonic probe unit to.
In the device provided, this device farther includes the first radiating circuit, the second radiating circuit, the Two ultrasonic probe unit, with reference to ultrasonic pulse generation unit, and follow the trail of ultrasonic pulse generation unit.Should First radiating circuit electrically connects with this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, and this first radiating circuit is configured to The ultrasonic driving pulse signal that this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit produces is transferred to this first ultrasonic probe Unit.This second ultrasonic probe unit electrically connects with this second radiating circuit.This reference ultrasonic pulse produces Unit electrically connects with this second radiating circuit, and this reference ultrasonic pulse generation unit is configured to produce reference Ultrasonic pulsative signal, and sent this reference ultrasonic pulsative signal to this by this second radiating circuit and the second surpass Sonic probe unit.This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit electrically connects with this second radiating circuit;This tracking surpasses Ping generation unit is configured to produce a series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal, and by this second transmitting electricity This series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal is sent to this second ultrasonic probe unit by road.
In the device provided, this device farther includes display device, and this display device is configured to show Show this calculated viscoelastic data.
In the device provided, this device farther includes: receive circuit and displacement computing unit;Should Receiving circuit to electrically connect with this first ultrasonic probe unit, this displacement computing unit is electrically connected with this reception circuit Connecing, this displacement computing unit is configured to calculate the shearing propagated with the area-of-interest at this destination organization The displacement data that ripple is relevant, wherein, this shearing wave computing unit calculates according at least to this displacement data and shears Velocity of wave propagation.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide another kind of technical scheme, and this technical scheme includes a kind of super Sonic probe.This ultrasonic probe is configured to the region of interest emission ultrasound wave of destination organization and receives extremely Small part is from the ultrasound wave being reflected back from this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest is carried out imaging.Should Ultrasonic probe is further configured under the effect of ultrasonic driving pulse signal act on sinusoidal wave form or cosine wave The acoustic radiation motive force of shape to this area-of-interest so that this area-of-interest at this sinusoidal wave form or The effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of cosine waveform is lower produces sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide another kind of technical scheme, and this technical scheme includes a kind of super Sonic probe.This ultrasonic probe is configured to the region of interest emission ultrasound wave of destination organization and receives extremely Small part is from the ultrasound wave being reflected back from this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest is carried out imaging, its It is characterised by: this ultrasonic probe includes the first ultrasonic sensing element group, the second ultrasonic sensing element group And the 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group, this first ultrasonic sensing element group is configured in ultrasonic promotion The effect of pulse signal is lower applies the acoustic radiation motive force of sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform to this region of interest Territory, so that this area-of-interest is in the effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of this sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform Lower generation sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform;This second ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to First is launched with reference to ultrasonic beam to this area-of-interest week under the first effect with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal The first mark position enclosed, this second ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to follow the trail of a series of first super The first tracking ultrasonic beam is launched to this first mark position under the effect of ping;3rd is ultrasonic Sensing element group is configured to launch second under the second effect with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal with reference to ultrasonic Wave beam is to the second mark position around this area-of-interest, and the 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group is also joined Be set to launch under a series of second effect following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signals the second tracking ultrasonic beam to this Two mark positions.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide another kind of technical scheme, and this technical scheme includes a kind of super Acoustic imaging system.This ultrasonic image-forming system includes the first ultrasonic probe and second ultrasonic probe of discrete setting, This first ultrasonic probe is configured under the effect of ultrasonic driving pulse signal act on sinusoidal wave form or remaining The acoustic radiation motive force of string waveform is to this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest is at this sinusoidal wave form Or the effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of cosine waveform is lower produces sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform; This second ultrasonic probe includes the first ultrasonic component group and the second ultrasonic component group, this first ultrasonic biography Sensing unit group is configured to launch first under the first effect with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal with reference to ultrasound wave Restrainting to the first mark position around this area-of-interest, this first ultrasonic sensing element group is also configured Become a series of first follow the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signals effect under launch first tracking ultrasonic beam to this first Mark position;This second ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to second with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal The lower transmitting second of effect is with reference to the second mark position around ultrasonic beam to this area-of-interest, and this is second years old Ultrasonic sensing element group is further configured to launch under a series of second effect following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signals Second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam to this second mark position.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide another kind of technical scheme, and this technical scheme includes a kind of base Elastogram device in shearing wave.This elastogram device includes ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, super Sonic probe, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity computing unit;This ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit It is configured to produce first according at least one command signal with signal specific waveform preset ultrasonic push away Moving pulse signal and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal the second surpasses with this Sound driving pulse signal has different pulse widths;This ultrasonic probe leads to this driving pulse generation unit Letter connects, and this ultrasonic probe is configured to according to this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and the second ultrasonic promotion Pulse signal effect acoustic radiation motive force is to the area-of-interest of destination organization, to produce at least one at this The shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of destination organization;This ultrasonic probe is further configured to according to One follows the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal launches the first tracking ultrasonic beam to around the area-of-interest of this destination organization The first mark position, this ultrasonic probe be also further configured to according to second follow the trail of pulse signal launch Second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam to adjacent with this first mark position around the area-of-interest of this destination organization Second mark position, this first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal and this second tracking pulsed ultrasonic signal are in sequential On between this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal;This shearing wave Computing unit is configured at least based on the be reflected back by this first mark position and this second mark position One follows the trail of the ultrasonic beam data relevant with the second tracking ultrasonic beam calculates the characterisitic parameter of this shearing wave; This viscoelasticity computing unit communicates to connect with this shearing wave computing unit, and this viscoelasticity computing unit is configured The shearing wave characterisitic parameter at least based on the area-of-interest of this this destination organization calculated is become to calculate this The viscoelastic data of the area-of-interest of destination organization.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide another kind of technical scheme, and this technical scheme includes a kind of base Elastogram device in shearing wave.This elastogram device includes ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, super Sonic probe, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity computing unit;This ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit It is configured to the first command signal according to having first frequency and produces first group of ultrasonic driving pulse signal, The second command signal that this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is further configured to according to having second frequency produces Second group of ultrasonic driving pulse signal;This ultrasonic probe produces according to this first group ultrasonic driving pulse signal First acoustic radiation motive force is to the area-of-interest of destination organization, interested with produce at this destination organization The first shearing wave propagated in region, this ultrasonic probe produces according to this second group ultrasonic driving pulse signal Raw rising tone radiation power is to the area-of-interest of this destination organization, to produce the sense at this destination organization The second shearing wave propagated in interest region;This shearing wave computing unit is configured at least based on acquisition With in the area-of-interest of this destination organization propagate with this first shearing wave and the second shearing wave Relevant data calculate this first shearing wave characterisitic parameter and the second shearing wave characterisitic parameter;This viscoelasticity Computing unit communicates to connect with this shearing wave computing unit, and this viscoelasticity computing unit is configured at least base The first shearing wave characterisitic parameter of area-of-interest and the second shearing wave in this this destination organization calculated Characterisitic parameter calculates first viscoelastic corresponding with this first frequency of the area-of-interest of this destination organization Property data and second viscoelastic data corresponding with this second frequency.
The present invention provides the device of tissue viscoelasticity of really setting the goal, ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic image-forming system, And elastogram device based on shearing wave etc., the command signal at least through characteristic frequency produces ultrasonic Driving pulse signal, and by the acoustic radiation motive force of this ultrasonic specific characteristic frequency of driving pulse signal function To destination organization, so that the shearing wave produced by this acoustic radiation motive force has specific frequency, mat This solve at least in prior art due to need use post processing circuitry and cause cannot accurately acquisition group Knit the technical problem of mechanical property.
Accompanying drawing explanation
By combining accompanying drawing, embodiments of the present invention are described, the present invention be may be better understood, In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 show the summarization module schematic diagram of a kind of embodiment of the system that the present invention provides;
Fig. 2 show the detailed module diagram of the another embodiment of the system that the present invention provides;
Fig. 3 show a kind of embodiment of the elastogram system based on shearing wave that the present invention provides Module diagram;
Fig. 4 show the another embodiment of the elastogram system based on shearing wave that the present invention provides Module diagram;
Fig. 5 show the another embodiment of the elastogram system based on shearing wave that the present invention provides Module diagram;
Fig. 6 illustrates the oscillogram of a kind of embodiment of ultrasonic driving pulse signal and acoustic radiation motive force;
Fig. 7 show the shearing wave displacement signal obtained at least two mark position of destination organization Figure;
Fig. 8 show two kinds of shearing wave spread speeds or speed changes with the frequency of acoustic radiation motive force The schematic diagram of a kind of embodiment;
Fig. 9 show the one of the two kinds of shearing waves obtained at least two mark position of destination organization Plant the spectrogram of embodiment;
Figure 10 show the flow chart of a kind of embodiment of the method that present invention determine that tissue mechanical properties;
Figure 11 show the stream of a kind of embodiment that the present invention provides the method for ultrasonic driving pulse signal Cheng Tu;And
Figure 12 show a kind of embodiment party of the determination tissue multi-frequency tissue mechanical properties that the present invention provides The flow chart of formula.
Detailed description of the invention
The embodiment that the invention discloses relates generally to elastogram system based on shearing wave and related side Method, for the mechanical property parameter determining destination organization.More particularly it relates to one changes Kind elastogram system based on shearing wave, it is configured to provide or revise have characteristic frequency ripple The acoustic radiation motive force of shape, this acoustic radiation motive force with characteristic frequency waveform is applied in destination organization Area-of-interest, with this area-of-interest produce shearing wave motion or shearing wave displacement.At this sound Under the effect of radiation power, the motion of this shearing wave also has the basic and frequency wave of this acoustic radiation motive force The frequency waveform that shape is similar.Therefore, by carrying out certain post-processing operation, can be the most true This destination organization area-of-interest mechanical property at one or more characteristic frequency fixed.Real in one Execute in mode, as the detailed description that will be made below, by using ultrasonic image-forming system to follow the trail of The displacement of shearing wave, to facilitate the mechanical property determining destination organization.In other embodiments, except Use outside ultrasonic image-forming system, it is also possible to use other imaging systems, include but not limited to, magnetic resonance Imaging system and optical imaging system, follow the trail of the shearing wave motion caused by acoustic radiation motive force, with Conveniently determine the mechanical property of destination organization.
One or more detailed description of the invention of the present invention explained below.Firstly it is pointed out that During the specific descriptions of these embodiments, in order to carry out brief and concise description, this specification can not All features of actual embodiment all can be made detailed description.It is to be understood that it is in office Anticipate in the actual implementation process of a kind of embodiment, as in any one engineering project or design object During, in order to realize the objectives of developer, or in order to meet system is correlated with or business Relevant restriction, usually can make various concrete decision-making, and this also can from a kind of embodiment to Change between another embodiment.Although moreover, it is to be understood that this development process Effort done by is probably complicated and tediously long, but for relevant to present disclosure Those of ordinary skill in the art for, the disclosure disclose technology contents on the basis of carry out one A little designs, manufacture or production etc. is changed simply conventional technique means, is not construed as the disclosure Content is insufficient.
Unless otherwise defined, the technical term used in the present specification and claims or section are academic It is usual that language has in being construed that this utility model art that the personage of general technical ability understood Meaning." first " or " second " that this specification and claims use and similar Word is not offered as any order, quantity or importance, and is used only to distinguish different ingredients. The similar word such as " one " or " one " is not offered as quantity and limits, and it is merely meant that have at least one Individual." or " include any one in cited project or all." include " or " comprising " Deng similar word mean to occur in " including " or " comprising " before element or object contain " include " now or the element of " comprising " presented hereinafter or object and equivalent element thereof, do not arrange Except other elements or object." connect " or word that " being connected " etc. is similar is not limited to physics Or no matter the connection of machinery, but can include electrical connection is direct or indirectly.This Outward, " circuit " or " Circuits System " and " controller " etc. can include single component or by many The set that individual active member or passive device are directly or indirectly connected, such as one or more is integrated Circuit chip, to provide the corresponding function described.
Next referring to accompanying drawing, referring initially to Fig. 1, it show system 10 that the present invention provides A kind of summarization module schematic diagram of embodiment.As it is shown in figure 1, this system 100 includes ultrasonic probe 102, This ultrasonic probe 102 is configured to destination organization 132 is launched ultrasound wave and receives at least partly from mesh The ultrasonic echo of mark Tissue reflectance, to assist the mechanical property determining this destination organization, such as, hardness, Strain, modulus, viscoelasticity, like this.In one embodiment, this destination organization 132 is permissible Including liver organization.By the qualitative or machinery such as hardness and viscoelasticity of quantitatively determining this liver organization Characterisitic parameter, it is provided that some useful information, for the various hepatic disease of early diagnosis, including Viral hepatitis and chronic hepatitis (such as, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) etc..Other embodiment party In formula, this destination organization 132 can also be other kinds of tissue, such as cardiac muscular tissue, mammary gland tissue, Prostata tissue, parathyroid tissue, lymph gland, blood vessel, and the group of any other applicable ultra sonic imaging Knit and object, such as phantom object (phantom) etc..
Please continue to refer to Fig. 1, in one embodiment, this ultrasonic probe 102 is single device, It is configured to perform dual-use function: one for apply acoustic radiation motive force, its two for follow the trail of shearing wave position Move.It is to be understood that in some embodiments, the ultrasonic probe that configuration such a is single 102, to perform the function of acoustic radiation motive force, and perform to follow the trail of the merit of consequent shearing wave displacement Can be useful, because at least may insure that and keeping alignment between ultrasonic probe 102 and destination organization 132. Further, for existing supersonic imaging device/system (such as B-mode or doppler imaging) For, it can be renovated or improve, being set in the case of not increasing extra hardware Count into and possess shearing wave elastogram function, thus facilitate clinical practice.
More specifically, as it is shown in figure 1, this ultrasonic probe 102 includes the first ultrasonic sensing element group 104, the second ultrasonic sensing element group 106, and the 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group 108.This first, Each in second, third ultrasonic sensing element group 104,106,108 all includes multiple ultrasonic biography Sensing unit, such as, piezoquartz etc., the plurality of ultrasonic sensing element organizes together in a particular manner (such as, linear array, curved array or phased array).The plurality of ultrasonic sensing element is configured to Convert the electrical signal to mechanical ultrasonic or ultrasonic beam, and the machine that will reflect from destination organization Tool ultrasonic beam is converted into the signal of telecommunication.In the illustrated embodiment, this first ultrasonic sensing element group 104 are configured under the effect of multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signals, transmitting focusing ultrasonic beam 111 to mesh Target location 118 in the area-of-interest 134 of mark tissue 132.Absorption based on tissue mediators and/or Transmitting effect, when this focused ultrasound beams 112 is applied to target location 118, can be in target location 118 Place produces acoustic radiation motive force, to promote destination organization 118 along the propagation side of focused ultrasound beams 112 To moving.Meanwhile, this acoustic radiation motive force also produces shearing wave at this destination organization 118, should Shearing wave is outwards propagated along the peripheral region of destination organization 118.
In some embodiments, it is applied to this ultrasonic probe 102 or more specifically, this first surpasses The pulse pattern of the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal of sound sensing element group 104 enters in a particular manner Row amendment or regulation, so that this acoustic radiation motive force being applied to target location 118 has specifically Frequency waveform.For example, in one embodiment, can be to the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal Pulse width, pulse length or dutycycle modify or regulate, so that the final sound produced Radiation power has specific frequency waveform, includes but not limited to, sinusoidal wave form, cosine waveform and Triangular waveform etc..Under the effect of this acoustic radiation motive force, produce in the peripheral region of target location 118 Shearing wave 126, the direction of propagation of this shearing wave 126 is basic and the propagation side of this focused ultrasound beams 112 To or the action direction of acoustic radiation motive force perpendicular.Owing to this acoustic radiation motive force has specific frequency Rate waveform, this shearing wave 126 also has the frequency waveform the most similar with it, therefore, it can pass through Follow the trail of the shearing wave displacement of the shearing wave 126 propagated around this target location 118, can assist and determine This destination organization is in the mechanical property of one or more frequency values.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, this second ultrasonic sensing element group 106 It is configured to launch the first ultrasonic beam 114 to first mark position 122 adjacent with this target location 118. Choosing it is generally required to make by the shearing wave caused by acoustic radiation motive force of this first mark position 122 126 still have the shearing wave displacement that enough can observe when traveling to this mark position.For example, In certain embodiments, the distance between this first mark position 122 and target location 118 Can be the magnitude of several millimeters.In one embodiment, this first ultrasonic beam 114 can include First with reference to ultrasonic beam, this first with reference to ultrasonic beam in acoustic radiation motive force effect to this target location Before 118, during that is, any shearing wave displacement does not the most occur at the first mark position 122, send out It is incident upon this first mark position 122, with this, can be by being reflected back from this first mark position 122 That comes at least partly processes with reference to ultrasonic beam echo-signal, to obtain this first mark position 122 Initial position or reference position.
In one embodiment, this first ultrasonic beam 114 can also include that a series of first tracking is super Beam of sound, that is, include multiple discrete tracking ultrasonic beam.This series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic beam This first mark position can be transmitted to after acoustic radiation motive force is applied in target location 118 At 122.As described above, this acoustic radiation motive force is to being somebody's turn to do at multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal functions Produce after first ultrasonic sensing element group 104, in one embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic push away Moving pulse signal can include the first acoustic radiation driving pulse and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, and should Length at regular intervals between first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal. In one embodiment, can be at this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse In interval time between signal, launch this series of first and follow the trail of the one in ultrasonic beam.Certainly, In other embodiments, it is also possible at this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic promotion arteries and veins Rush in the interval time between signal, launch this series of first and follow the trail of the two in ultrasonic beam or many Person.It is understood that it is ultrasonic by launching this series of first tracking to this first mark position 122 Wave beam, and the echo-signal of the first tracking ultrasonic beam being reflected back from this first mark position 122 is entered Row processes, it is possible to obtain the shearing wave displacement of time to time change produced by this first mark position 122.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 1, in one embodiment, the 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group 108 quilt It is arranged to launch the second ultrasonic beam to the second mark position 124.It is similar with the first mark position 122, The shearing wave being also required to guarantee to be produced by acoustic radiation motive force of choosing of this second mark position 124 travels to Still there is during this mark position enough displacement amplitudes.Further, this second mark position 124 is specific Choose, so that the distance being defined between this target location 118 and this second mark position 124 is big In the distance being defined between this target location 118 and this first mark position 122.A kind of embodiment party In formula, this second ultrasonic beam 116 can include at least one second reference ultrasonic beam, this second ginseng Examined ultrasonic beam before acoustic radiation motive force effect to this target location 118, that is, at the second labelling When the most there is not any shearing wave displacement at position 122, transmitting to this second mark position 124, with This, can be by least partly returning with reference to ultrasonic beam reflect from this second mark position 124 Ripple signal processes, to obtain initial position or the reference position of this second mark position 124.
In one embodiment, this second ultrasonic beam 116 can also include that a series of second tracking is super Beam of sound, that is, include multiple discrete tracking ultrasonic beam.This series of second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam This second mark position can be transmitted to after acoustic radiation motive force is applied in target location 118 At 124.As described above, this acoustic radiation motive force is to being somebody's turn to do at multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal functions Produce after first ultrasonic sensing element group 104, in one embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic push away Moving pulse signal can include the first acoustic radiation driving pulse and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, and should Length at regular intervals between first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal. In one embodiment, can be at this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse In interval time between signal, launch this series of second and follow the trail of the one in ultrasonic beam.Certainly, In other embodiments, it is also possible at this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic promotion arteries and veins Rush in the interval time between signal, launch this series of second and follow the trail of the two in ultrasonic beam or many Person.It is understood that it is ultrasonic by launching this series of second tracking to this second mark position 124 Wave beam, and the echo-signal of the second tracking ultrasonic beam being reflected back from this second mark position 124 is entered Row processes, it is possible to obtain the shearing wave displacement of time to time change produced by this second mark position 124.
Need to be given special attention, in detailed description of the invention described in conjunction with Figure 1, select two Individual mark position 122,124 is to transmit to reference to ultrasonic beam and to follow the trail of ultrasonic beam, and uses further Determine the characterisitic parameter (such as, shearing wave spread speed or speed) of shearing wave in auxiliary, and calculate The mechanical property (such as, the viscoelasticity of tissue) etc. of tissue.But, in other embodiments, also The mark position less than two can be used, such as, use single mark position, or use is more than The mark position (such as, three or more mark positions) of two, assists the spy determining shearing wave Property parameter (such as, shearing wave spread speed or speed), and the mechanical property of computation organization is (such as, The viscoelasticity of tissue) etc..
Please continue to refer to Fig. 1, obtaining at this first mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 After shearing wave displacement data, various shearing wave characterisitic parameter can be calculated further.More specifically, In one embodiment, it is possible to use cross-correlation method calculates shearing wave from the first mark position 122 Traveled to for the second mark position 124 required time spent.In other embodiments, it is possible to so that By arbitrarily other suitable methods, include but not limited to, absolute difference and method, and based on model Method (such as, FEM (finite element) model), to calculate the shearing wave propagation time.Further, some embodiment party In formula, can by the distance between known first mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 with should The calculated shearing wave propagation time is divided by, to calculate spread speed or the speed of shearing wave.Due to, Relation between shearing wave spread speed or speed and the hardness of tissue and/or viscoelasticity is known, because of This, by performing further calculating, it may be determined that the tissue hardness of area-of-interest 134 and/or viscoelastic Property data etc..
Fig. 2 show the detailed module diagram of the another embodiment of the system 200 that the present invention provides. As explained above with described in Fig. 1, in FIG, this system 100 uses single ultrasonic probe 102, with Realize destination organization effect acoustic radiation motive force simultaneously, to produce shearing wave in targeted tissue, and By launching with reference to ultrasonic beam and following the trail of ultrasonic beam, to follow the trail of multiple around target location 118 The shearing wave displacement that location point occurs.From shown in Fig. 1 and unlike described embodiment, Fig. 2 In shown embodiment, system 200 uses the device 232 being separately provided to come destination organization applying sound Radiation power, produces shearing wave motion the most in targeted tissue.More specifically, implement in one In mode, the device 232 that this is separately provided can include ultrasonic probe, and this ultrasonic probe 232 is set Become under the effect of multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signals, send focused ultrasound beams 234 to target location 118. Based on destination organization 132 to the absorption caused by focused ultrasound beams 234 or reflection, this focusing Ultrasonic beam 234 produces acoustic radiation motive force at target location 118, to promote this target location 118 Move in the direction propagated along focused ultrasound beams 234.In one embodiment, can be to many The various parameters of individual ultrasonic driving pulse signal correction connection are modified or regulate, so that being generated by Acoustic radiation motive force there is specific frequency waveform.For example, in one embodiment, permissible The parameters such as pulse width, time span and the dutycycle to this ultrasonic driving pulse signal be adjusted or Person revises so that this ultrasonic probe 232 of being separately provided launch have sinusoidal wave form, cosine waveform or The focused ultrasound beams 234 of person's triangular waveform.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 2, this system 200 farther includes ultrasonic probe 202, this ultrasonic probe 202 Being provided separately with the ultrasonic probe 232 producing acoustic radiation motive force, this ultrasonic probe 202 is configured to chase after Track applies shearing wave produced by acoustic radiation motive force in one or more position at target location 118 Shearing wave displacement.In one embodiment, this ultrasonic probe 202 includes the first ultrasonic sensing element Group 204 and the second ultrasonic sensing element group 206.On the one hand, this first ultrasonic sensing element group Group 204 is configured to launch the first ultrasonic beam 208 to the first mark position 122.This first ultrasound wave Bundle 208 can include the first reference ultrasonic beam, and this first reference ultrasonic beam promotes masterpiece in acoustic radiation With before this target location 118, that is, the most there is not any cutting at the first mark position 122 When cutting ripple displacement, launch to this first mark position 122, with this, can be by from this first labelling What position 122 reflected at least partly processes with reference to ultrasonic beam echo-signal, with obtain this The initial position of one mark position 122 or reference location data.
In one embodiment, this first ultrasonic beam 208 can also include that a series of first tracking is super Beam of sound, that is, include multiple discrete tracking ultrasonic beam.This series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic beam This first mark position can be transmitted to after acoustic radiation motive force is applied in target location 118 At 122.As described above, this acoustic radiation motive force is to being somebody's turn to do at multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal functions Producing after ultrasonic probe 232, in one embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal can To include the first acoustic radiation driving pulse and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, and this first ultrasonic promotion Length at regular intervals between pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal.Implement in one In mode, can be between this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal In interval time, launch this series of first and follow the trail of the one in ultrasonic beam.Certainly, implement at other In mode, it is also possible between this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal Interval time in, launch this series of first and follow the trail of the two in ultrasonic beam or many persons.Can manage Solve, follow the trail of ultrasonic beam by launching this series of first to this first mark position 122, and right The first echo-signal following the trail of ultrasonic beam being reflected back from this first mark position 122 processes, can To obtain the shearing wave displacement of time to time change produced by this first mark position 122.
On the one hand, this second ultrasonic sensing element group 206 is configured to the second mark position 124 Launch the second ultrasonic beam 212.This second ultrasonic beam 212 can include the second reference ultrasonic beam, This second with reference to ultrasonic beam before acoustic radiation motive force effect to this target location 118, that is, When the most there is not any shearing wave displacement at the second mark position 124, launch to this second mark position 124, with this, can be by least part of with reference to ultrasonic to reflect from this second mark position 124 Wave beam echo-signal processes, to obtain initial position or the reference bit of this second mark position 124 Put data.
In one embodiment, this second ultrasonic beam 212 can also include that a series of second tracking is super Beam of sound, that is, include multiple discrete tracking ultrasonic beam.This series of second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam This second mark position can be transmitted to after acoustic radiation motive force is applied in target location 118 At 124.As described above, this acoustic radiation motive force is to being somebody's turn to do at multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal functions Producing after ultrasonic probe 232, in one embodiment, the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal can To include the first acoustic radiation driving pulse and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, and this first ultrasonic promotion Length at regular intervals between pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal.Implement in one In mode, can be between this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal In interval time, launch this series of second and follow the trail of the one in ultrasonic beam.Certainly, implement at other In mode, it is also possible between this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal Interval time in, launch this series of second and follow the trail of the two in ultrasonic beam or many persons.Can manage Solve, follow the trail of ultrasonic beam by launching this series of second to this second mark position 124, and right The second echo-signal following the trail of ultrasonic beam being reflected back from this second mark position 124 processes, can To obtain the shearing wave displacement of time to time change produced by this second mark position 124.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 2, obtaining at this first mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 After shearing wave displacement data, various shearing wave characterisitic parameter can be calculated further.More specifically, In one embodiment, it is possible to use cross-correlation method calculates shearing wave from the first mark position 122 Traveled to for the second mark position 124 required time spent.In other embodiments, it is possible to so that By arbitrarily other suitable methods, include but not limited to, absolute difference and method, and based on model Method (such as, FEM (finite element) model), to calculate the shearing wave propagation time.Further, some embodiment party In formula, can by the distance between known first mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 with should The calculated shearing wave time is divided by, to calculate spread speed or the speed of shearing wave.Due to, cut The relation between velocity of wave propagation or speed and the hardness of tissue and/or viscoelasticity of cutting is known, therefore, By performing further calculating, it may be determined that the tissue hardness of area-of-interest 134 and/or viscoelasticity number According to.
Fig. 3 show a kind of embodiment party of the elastogram system 300 based on shearing wave that the present invention provides The module diagram of formula.As it is shown on figure 3, this system 300 can include ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit 146, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit 146 is configured to produce ultrasonic driving pulse signal.More specifically For, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit 146 receives at least one command signal 148, and this is at least one years old Each in individual command signal 148 is used for indicating, and such as, the ultrasonic probe 102 shown in Fig. 1 is to mesh The frequency waveform having desired by mark tissue 132 applying acoustic radiation motive force.At least one instruction letter at this Under the effect of numbers 148, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit 146 regulates or revises the plurality of ultrasonic push away The parameters such as pulse width, time span and the dutycycle in moving pulse signal 163 each so that when When the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal 163 is applied to this ultrasonic probe 102 by radiating circuit 142, This ultrasonic probe 102 can apply to have the acoustic radiation of the frequency waveform corresponding with this command signal to be promoted Power is to target location 118.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, this system 300 farther includes to produce with reference to ultrasonic and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse Raw unit 166, this is with reference to ultrasonic and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166 and this radiating circuit 142 Electrical connection.For the ease of diagram and description, Fig. 3 illustrates that single unit 166 is for producing with reference to ultrasonic Pulse signal and tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal.In other embodiments, it is possible to use separately positioned Pulse signal generation unit.For example, a single reference ultrasonic pulse can be used respectively to produce Raw unit and tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit, produce with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal and follow the trail of ultrasonic pulse Signal.More specifically, in one embodiment, this produces with reference to ultrasonic and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse Unit 166 is configured to produce with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal, and obtains acoustic radiation motive force effect based on this Before target location 118, around target location 118 one or more position reference position or Person's initial position message.
In one embodiment, this is set with reference to ultrasonic and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166 Become to produce first with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal 165 and the second reference ultrasonic pulsative signal 169.This first ginseng Examine ultrasonic pulsative signal 165 and be sent to ultrasonic probe 102 by radiating circuit 142, so that ultrasonic spy 102 launch first with reference to ultrasonic beams to the first mark position 122, it is hereby achieved that this first mark The initial position of note position 122 or reference position information.This second reference ultrasonic pulsative signal 169 leads to Cross radiating circuit 142 and be sent to ultrasonic probe 102, so that ultrasonic probe 102 launches second with reference to super Beam of sound is to the second mark position 124, it is hereby achieved that the initial position of this second mark position 124 Or reference position information.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, this with reference to ultrasonic and/or follow the trail of ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166 further by It is arranged to produce a series of first and follows the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal 167 and a series of second tracking ultrasonic pulse letter Numbers 171.This series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal 167 is sent to this by this radiating circuit 142 Ultrasonic probe 102, so that this ultrasonic probe 102 launches a series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic beam to first Mark position 122, it is hereby achieved that the shearing wave displacement data of this first mark position 122.This is one years old Series second is followed the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal 171 and is sent to this ultrasonic probe 102 by radiating circuit 142, So that this ultrasonic probe 102 launch a series of second follow the trail of ultrasonic beam to the second mark position 124, It is hereby achieved that the shearing wave displacement data of this second mark position 124.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, this system 300 farther includes back-end processor 158, this back-end processor It is electrically connected with receiving circuit 144.Basically, this back-end processor 158 is configured to connect by this Receive signal that circuit 144 transmits and/or data process, for calculating or estimate cutting of being caused Cut the various characterisitic parameters of ripple, and the mechanical property parameter of tissue.This back-end processor 158 can wrap Include one or more universal processor, or application specific processor, digital signal processor, micro-electricity Brain, microcontroller, application-specific IC, field programmable gate array, and other suitably may be used Programmer etc..
As it is shown on figure 3, this back-end processor 158 can include shear displacemant computing unit 153, this is cut Cut displacement computing unit 153 and communicate to connect with receiving circuit 144.This shear displacemant computing unit 153 can The first data signal 131 provided by this reception circuit 144 with reception.This first data signal 131 can To include the signal of telecommunication obtained by the first ultrasonic echo 121 is changed by ultrasonic probe 102.This is first ultrasonic Echo 121 can be launched to first at the first reference position 122 with reference to ultrasonic beam by mentioned earlier 165 reflect and produce.This shear displacemant computing unit 153 can also receive and be carried by this reception circuit 144 Second data signal 133 of confession.This second data signal 133 can include by ultrasonic probe 102 The signal of telecommunication obtained by two ultrasonic echo 123 conversions.This second ultrasonic echo 123 can by mentioned earlier A series of first launched to the first reference position 122 is followed the trail of ultrasonic beam 167 and reflects and produce.Should Shear displacemant computing unit 153 is further configured to the first data signal 131 according to this acquisition and Two data signals 133 calculate the first shearing wave displacement data 141 of time to time change.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, similar with above-described, this identical shear displacemant computing unit 153 Can be further configured to calculate and change over, in second position 124, the second shearing wave position changed Move data.More specifically, this shear displacemant computing unit 153 can receive by this reception circuit 144 The 3rd data signal 135 provided.3rd data signal 135 can include will by ultrasonic probe 102 The signal of telecommunication obtained by 3rd ultrasonic echo 125 conversion.3rd ultrasonic echo 125 can be by mentioned earlier Launch to second at the second reference position 124 and produce with reference to ultrasonic beam reflection.This shear displacemant Computing unit 153 can also receive the 4th data signal 137 provided by this reception circuit 144.This is years old Four data signals 137 can include electricity obtained by the 4th ultrasonic echo 127 is changed by ultrasonic probe 102 Signal.4th ultrasonic echo 127 can be launched to the second reference position 124 by mentioned earlier A series of second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam reflection and produces.This shear displacemant computing unit 153 is joined further It is set to the 3rd data signal 135 according to this acquisition and the 4th data signal 137 calculates time to time change The second shearing wave displacement data 143.
It is understood that in other interchangeable embodiments, it is also possible to use two and be separately provided Computing unit perform shearing wave displacement calculate operation, with obtain in the first mark position 122 and second The shearing wave displacement data of mark position 124.More detailed speech, the first displacement computing unit can be configured Calculate the first shearing wave displacement data 141 at the first mark position 122, and configuration the second displacement Computing unit calculates the second shearing wave displacement data 143 at the second mark position 124.Real in one Execute in mode, this calculated first shearing wave displacement data 141 and second shearing wave displacement data 143 Can be stored in memory element 164.Of course, it should be understood that this memory element 164 is only used as Example effect, in other embodiments, it is also possible to save this memory element 164.That is, this system 300 may be constructed such the shearing wave displacement data not using memory element 164 to store calculating.At this Under situation, it is thus achieved that the sampled data relevant to this first mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 Or calculate data can directly be shown by display device.In other embodiments, the first of this calculating Shearing wave displacement data 141 and the second shearing wave displacement data 143 can be provided to shearing wave characteristic ginseng Number computing unit 155.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, this back-end processor 158 may further include shearing wave characterisitic parameter meter Calculating unit 155, this shearing wave characterisitic parameter computing unit 155 is configured to calculate at destination organization 132 Area-of-interest 134 in the various characterisitic parameters of shearing wave propagated.More specifically, this shearing wave Characterisitic parameter computing unit 155 receives by the calculated first shearing wave displacement of displacement computing unit 153 Data 141 and the second shearing wave displacement data 143, and calculate according to various methods or algorithm further Shearing wave travels to the time required for the second mark position 124 from the first mark position 122, in this institute Computational methods or the algorithm stated include but not limited to, cross-correlation method, absolute difference and method, and Method based on model (such as, FEM (finite element) model) etc..Further, this shearing wave characterisitic parameter calculates Unit 155 can also be further configured to known first mark position 122 and the second mark position The propagation time that distance between 124 calculates with this is divided by, with obtain shearing wave spread speed or Speed.The propagation time 145 of this calculated shearing wave and/or the spread speed of this shearing wave or speed Rate 147 can be stored in memory element 164.Certainly, in other embodiments, this calculating To the shearing wave propagation time 145 and shearing wave spread speed or speed 147 can directly be set by display For showing.In some embodiments, this shearing wave propagation time 145 and/or shearing wave propagate speed What degree or speed 147 can be transmitted to electrically connect with this this shearing wave characterisitic parameter computing unit 15 glues Elastic calculation unit 157, to carry out follow-up process.
Further referring to Fig. 3, this viscoelasticity computing unit 157 is configured to calculate this destination organization 132 The various mechanical property parameters of area-of-interest 134.In one embodiment, this viscoelasticity calculates single Unit 157 can receive the shearing wave transmitted by this shearing wave characterisitic parameter computing unit 155 and propagate speed Degree or speed data 147, and the shearing mould of this area-of-interest 134 is calculated according to equation below (1) Amount:
c t = μ ρ - - - ( 1 ) ,
Wherein, ctFor shearing wave propagation rate, μ is the modulus of shearing of destination organization, and ρ is destination organization Density.
In other embodiments, this viscoelasticity computing unit 157 can be configured to according to following public The Young's modulus of the area-of-interest 134 of formula (2) calculating destination organization:
c t = E 2 ( 1 + γ ) ρ - - - ( 2 ) ,
Wherein, ctFor shearing wave propagation rate, E is Young's modulus, and γ is Poisson's ratio, and ρ is destination organization Density.It is understood that formula described herein (1) and formula (2) only list one can In the way of enforcement, to calculate the mechanical property parameter of this destination organization, such as, viscosity, elastic etc.. Such example should not constitute the scope to be protected the present invention and be construed as limiting, such as, real at other Execute in mode, it is possible to use additive method or algorithm calculate the mechanical property parameter of destination organization, Include but not limited to FEM (finite element) model method etc..
Please continue to refer to Fig. 3, above-mentioned calculated mechanical property supplemental characteristic, such as modulus of shearing with And Young's modulus can be stored in memory element 164.Certainly, in other embodiments, Ke Yijin One step ground or alternatively, the mechanical property supplemental characteristic this calculating obtained processes, and by showing Show that unit 162 shows.Display unit 162 described herein can be can showing of any appropriate The device of word, figure and image, such as CRT display and liquid crystal indicator etc..
Fig. 4 show the another kind of enforcement of the elastogram system 400 based on shearing wave that the present invention provides The module diagram of mode.Shearing wave elastogram system 400 figure the most above in conjunction shown in Fig. 4 Shearing wave elastogram system 300 described by 3 is similar.Therefore, shown in Fig. 4 with Fig. 3 phase Similar element, will use identical element numbers to indicate, and, about such essentially identical element Detailed description will omit not table.
Further, as shown in Figure 4, its shown elastogram system 400 becomes with the elasticity shown in Fig. 3 As a difference of system 300 is that this embodiment uses at least two ultrasonic probe.More specifically For, in one embodiment, this elastogram system 400 can include the first ultrasonic probe 174, This first ultrasonic probe 174 electrically connects with this radiating circuit 142.In this embodiment, this first surpasses Sonic probe 174 is configured to transmitting focusing ultrasonic beam 173 to target location 118 (as shown in Figure 2), To produce acoustic radiation motive force in this target location 118, thus cause around this target location 118 and cut Cut ripple.This focused ultrasound beams 173 can be according to the multiple ultrasonic promotion arteries and veins being supplied to radiating circuit 142 Rush signal 163 and produce.As described above, each in the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal is permissible Be conditioned according to one or more command signal 148 or be modified as to have specific pulse width, Time span, dutycycle etc..This one or more command signal 148 represents and is applied to target location 118 The frequency waveform having desired by the acoustic radiation motive force at place.Therefore, in the effect of this acoustic radiation motive force Under, the shearing wave caused at target location 118 also has the frequency similar to this acoustic radiation motive force Waveform.
Please continue to refer to Fig. 4, it is ultrasonic that this shearing wave elastogram system 400 may further include second Probe 172, this second ultrasonic probe 172 also electrically connects with this radiating circuit 142.A kind of embodiment party In formula, this radiating circuit 142 can launch first with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal 165 and second with reference to ultrasonic Pulse signal 169 gives this second ultrasonic probe 172, so that this second ultrasonic probe 172 can be launched First with reference to ultrasonic beam 175 to the first mark position 122, and launches second with reference to ultrasonic beam 177 To the second mark position 124.First is super with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal 165 and the second reference referred in this Ping 169 is produced formed by reference and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166.This first ginseng Examining ultrasonic beam 175 and second with reference to ultrasonic beam after reflection, a part of ultrasonic echo the second surpasses through this Sonic probe 172 is converted into the signal of telecommunication.This reception circuit 144 receives the signal of telecommunication that this conversion produces, and will It is sent to back-end processor 158 further, to perform follow-up calculating.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, this radiating circuit 142 is further configured to launch a series of The first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal 169 and second to follow the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal 171 second ultrasonic to this Probe 172, so that this second ultrasonic probe 172 launches a series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic beam 179 To this first mark position 122, and launch a series of second tracking ultrasonic beam 181 to the second mark Note position 124.The most a series of first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal 169 and the second tracking are super Ping 171 is also produced by reference and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166.This series of First follows the trail of ultrasonic beam 179 and second follows the trail of ultrasonic beam respectively through the first mark position 122 and second After the Tissue reflectance of cousin position 124, its at least some of ultrasonic echo is through this second ultrasonic probe 172 It is converted into the corresponding signal of telecommunication.This reception circuit 144 receives the signal of telecommunication that this conversion produces, and is entered One step is sent to back-end processor 158, to perform follow-up calculating.For example, with reference ultrasound wave Bundle and the signal of telecommunication following the trail of ultrasonic beam relevant can be displaced by computing unit 153 for calculating first The shearing wave displacement that mark position 122 and the second mark position 124 produce.
Fig. 5 show the another kind of enforcement of the elastogram system 500 based on shearing wave that the present invention provides The module diagram of mode.Shearing wave elastogram system 500 figure the most above in conjunction shown in Fig. 5 Shearing wave elastogram system 300,400 described by 3 and Fig. 4 is similar.Therefore, illustrate at Fig. 5 The element similar with Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, by use identical element numbers indicate, and, about The detailed description of such essentially identical element will omit not table.
As explained above with described in Fig. 4, this system 400 uses single radiating circuit 142 ultrasonic to launch Driving pulse signal, reference ultrasonic pulsative signal and tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal are to the first ultrasonic probe 174 With the second ultrasonic probe 172.But, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, it is also possible to use two lists Only radiating circuit.More specifically, the first radiating circuit 142 is connected electrically in this ultrasonic driving pulse letter Number between generation unit 146 and the first ultrasonic probe 174.This first radiating circuit 142 is configured to send out Penetrate multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal, so that this first ultrasonic probe 174 can be at this destination organization 132 Target location 118 at apply acoustic radiation motive force.Further, this second radiating circuit 143 electrically connects Between this reference and/or tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal generation unit 166 and the second ultrasonic probe 172.Should Second radiating circuit 143 is configured to launch extremely should with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal and tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal Second ultrasonic probe 172, so that this second ultrasonic probe 172 can be launched with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal And tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal is to the first mark position 122 and the second marker bit of area-of-interest 134 Put 124.
Fig. 6 illustrates the oscillogram of a kind of embodiment of ultrasonic driving pulse signal and acoustic radiation motive force. Oscillogram 612 shown in Fig. 6 top show the multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal 311 within a cycle, 312、313、314、315、316、317、318、319、320.Although as a kind of example, it is illustrated that Go out the ultrasonic driving pulse signal of ten within a cycle, it is to be understood that other embodiment party In formula, it is possible to use any suitable number of ultrasonic pulse driving signal, as long as it can have for producing The acoustic radiation motive force of characteristic frequency.In the illustrated embodiment, these ten ultrasonic driving pulse signals 311,312,313,314,315,316,317,318,319,320 arrange in a symmetrical manner. More specifically, in the first half period T1, wherein five ultrasonic driving pulse signals 311,312, 313,314,315 it is configured of pulse width, time span or the dutycycle being gradually increased (also That is, t1 < t2 < t3 < t4 < t5).And in the second half period T2, other five ultrasonic driving pulse signals 316, 317,318,319,320 it is configured of pulse width, time span or the duty gradually successively decreased Than (that is, t5 > t4 > t3 > t2 > t1).
Further referring to Fig. 6, between two adjacent ultrasonic driving pulses, such as, first is ultrasonic Between driving pulse signal 311 and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal 312, it is provided with the first tracking ultrasonic Pulse signal 323 and second follows the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal 325, this first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal 323 For the first reference position 122 of effect the first tracking ultrasonic beam to destination organization, and this second tracking Ultrasonic pulsative signal 325 is for the second reference position of effect the second tracking ultrasonic beam to destination organization 124.Certainly, in other embodiments, this first ultrasonic pulsative signal 311 and this second ultrasonic push away Two or more the first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal can also be set between moving pulse signal 312 323, and two or more the second tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal 325 is set.
Show further referring to the oscillogram 614 shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 6 bottom and surpass at above-mentioned ten The work of sound driving pulse signal 311,312,313,314,315,316,317,318,319,320 Under with, and it is applied to the oscillogram of the acoustic radiation motive force of destination organization.This acoustic radiation motive force includes ten Individual acoustic radiation motive force section 181,182,183,184,185,186,187,188,189,190, And these ten acoustic radiation motive force sections are arranged the most in a symmetrical.It is understood that ultrasonic driving pulse Pulse width or time span the longest, then the amplitude of produced acoustic radiation motive force is the biggest.Therefore In front half cycle T 1, the ultrasonic driving pulse signal of first five shown in corresponding diagram 612 311,312, 313,314,315, its produced five acoustic radiation motive forces 181,182,183,184,185 have There is the amplitude (that is, F0 < F1 < F2 < F3 < F4) being gradually increased.And in second half of the cycle T2, corresponding Rear five ultrasonic driving pulse signals 316,317,318,319,320 shown in Figure 61 2, its institute Five the acoustic radiation motive forces 186,187,188,189,190 produced have the amplitude being gradually reduced (also That is, F4 > F3 > F2 > F1 > F0).Therefore, by this ten acoustic radiation motive force sections 181,182,183, 184,185,186,187,188,189,190 as one on the whole, substantially in sinusoidal wave form Acoustic radiation motive force be applied in the target location of destination organization, produce in this target location to cause Also in sine-shaped shearing wave.Therefore, the various characterisitic parameters relevant to shearing wave, such as shearing wave Spread speed or speed, and tissue mechanical property can be determined.
Fig. 7 show the shearing wave displacement signal obtained at least two mark position of destination organization Figure.More specifically, the first curve 616 shows at area-of-interest as shown in Figures 1 and 2 The shearing wave displacement diagram obtained at the first mark position 122 in 134.Second curve 618 shows Go out the shearing wave displacement diagram obtained at the second mark position 124 of area-of-interest 134. Further from such as Fig. 7 it can be seen that travel to the second marker bit from the first mark position 122 when shearing wave When putting 124, there is a time delay therebetween, in other words, the shearing wave of the first mark position 122 exists First moment point tpeak1 reaches peak value, and the shearing wave of the second mark position 124 is then in the second moment point Tpeak2 reaches peak value.It is determined by this first curve 616 and peak point of the second curve 618, Learn that this shearing wave travels to the propagation time of the second mark position 124 from the first mark position 122.Enter One step, after obtaining the propagation time of this shearing wave, can be according to this first mark position 122 known And the distance that second between mark position 124, calculate spread speed or the speed of this shearing wave.
Fig. 8 show two kinds of shearing wave spread speeds or speed changes with the frequency of acoustic radiation motive force The schematic diagram of a kind of embodiment.More specifically, first waveform 622 show have relatively large The graph of relation that the shear wave velocity produced in the imitative body of viscosity or speed vary with frequency.Such as Shown in one waveform 622, for the imitative body with bigger viscosity, produced by acoustic radiation motive force Shearing wave has less spread speed when frequency is relatively low, and has bigger propagation when frequency is bigger Speed.Second waveform 624 shows the biography of the shearing wave produced in the imitative body have relatively small viscosity Broadcast speed or graph of relation that speed varies with frequency.From this second waveform 624 it can be seen that When this has produced shearing wave propagation in the imitative body of relatively small viscosity, its spread speed is the most right The frequency of the acoustic radiation motive force applied is insensitive.Therefore, in some embodiments, the acoustically radiating of applying The relation between the frequency of motive force and shearing wave spread speed or speed of penetrating can be used to differentiation to be had The tissue of different mechanical properties (such as, viscosity, elasticity etc.).Such as, when the sound applying different frequency Radiation power to certain organize time, its shearing wave spread speed or speed are basic with the conversion curve of frequency On in horizontal linear time, namely when the spread speed of shearing wave or speed are held essentially constant, now, This tissue may be relatively the tissue that viscosity is less.
Fig. 9 show the one of the two kinds of shearing waves obtained at least two mark position of destination organization Plant the spectrogram of embodiment.As it is shown in figure 9, the first curve 632 shows in the first mark position 122 The first spectrogram that place obtains, the second curve 634 shows the second frequency at the second mark position 124 Rate figure.From this first curve 632 and this second curve 634 it is apparent that by applying specific frequency Shearing wave produced by the acoustic radiation motive force of rate has the most single frequency component in frequency domain.Cause This, the method disclosed by the present invention, destination organization can be accurately determined in a certain or multiple frequencies Mechanical property parameter etc. at value.
Figure 10 show the stream of a kind of embodiment of the method 5000 that present invention determine that tissue mechanical properties Cheng Tu.At least some of step of the method 5000 can be programmed for programmed instruction or computer software, And be saved on the storage medium that can be read by computer or processor.When this programmed instruction by computer or When person's processor performs, it is possible to achieve at least partly as shown in flow chart approach 3000,4000,5000 Each step.It is appreciated that the medium of computer-readable can include volatibility and non-volatile, with Moveable and the non-moveable medium that any method or technology realize.More specifically, computer Readable medium includes but not limited to random access storage device, read only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, Flash memories, or the memorizer of other technologies, compact disc read-only memory, digitized disk storage, Or the magnetic of the optical memory of other forms, cartridge, tape, magnetic disc, or other forms is deposited Reservoir, and any other form can be used to storage can be commanded execution system access predetermined letter The storage medium of breath.
In one embodiment, the method 5000 can start to perform from step 5002.In step 5002 In, at least one is transmitted with reference to ultrasonic beam.More specifically, in one embodiment, such as figure Reference shown in 3-5 and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166 can be used to produce first with reference to super Ping, this first reference ultrasonic pulsative signal can be transmitted to ultrasonic probe as shown in Figure 2 102 or the second ultrasonic probe 172 as shown in Figure 4, so that first is transmitted to reference to ultrasonic beam At first mark position 122 of area-of-interest 134.Further, in some embodiments, such as figure This reference shown in 3-5 and/or tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit 166 can be used to produce the second reference Ultrasonic pulsative signal, this second reference ultrasonic pulsative signal can be transmitted to ultrasonic spy as shown in Figure 2 102 or the second ultrasonic probe 172 as shown in Figure 4, so that second is sent out with reference to ultrasonic beam It is incident upon at the second mark position 124 of area-of-interest 134.As described above, some embodiment party In formula, it is possible to use single or plural mark position follows the trail of shearing wave, and determine and cut Cut the characterisitic parameter of ripple, therefore, it can to launch single reference ultrasonic beam to this single mark position, Or launch plural with reference to ultrasonic beam to plural mark position.
In step 5004, the method 5000 continues executing with to apply acoustic radiation motive force to destination organization. In one embodiment, the acoustic radiation motive force with characteristic frequency waveform is generated, and is applied to The area-of-interest of this destination organization.Therefore, under the effect of this acoustic radiation motive force, in this target group The area-of-interest knitted will cause shearing wave, and this shearing wave also has desired frequency waveform.Please join Readding Figure 11, it show the present invention and provides the ultrasonic driving pulse signal method to produce acoustic radiation motive force The flow chart of a kind of embodiment.
In the sub-step 5032 shown in Figure 11, receive at least one finger being preset with signal specific waveform Make signal.More specifically, in one embodiment, ultrasonic driving pulse as in Figure 3-5 produces Raw unit 146 can receive command signal 148.In one embodiment, this command signal 148 can Think the signal of single-frequency, such as, sinusoidal wave form.In other embodiments, this command signal 148 Can also be composite signal, such as, by first frequency signal and the signal of second frequency signal syntheses.
In sub-step 5034, produce multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signals according to the command signal of this reception.? In a kind of embodiment, ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit 146 as in Figure 3-5 can be according to instruction Signal 148 produces multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signal in a certain time interval, and this ultrasonic promotion Each in pulse signal is conditioned or is modified as to be had certain pulses width, time span or accounts for Empty ratio etc..
In sub-step 5036, the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal is supplied to ultrasonic probe.In one In embodiment, the first ultrasonic probe 174 shown in ultrasonic probe 102 or Fig. 4-5 as shown in Figure 3 Receive the ultrasonic driving pulse signal transmitted by radiating circuit 142, or by the first radiating circuit 142 The ultrasonic driving pulse signal transmitted and come, with the target position of transmitting focusing ultrasonic beam to area-of-interest Put 108, and produce acoustic radiation motive force in this target location 108.Effect in this acoustic radiation motive force Under, generation shearing wave around target location 108.
It follows that turning back to refering to Figure 10, in step 5006, the method 5000 continues executing with, with Transmit the most a series of trackings ultrasonic to area-of-interest.More specifically, in one embodiment, Reference as in Figure 3-5 and/or follow the trail of ultrasound generating unit 166 and can be used to produce a series of the One follows the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal, and this tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal is transmitted to ultrasonic probe as shown in Figure 2 102 or the second ultrasonic probe 172 as shown in Figure 4, so that a series of first follows the trail of ultrasonic beam quilt Launch the first mark position 122 to this area-of-interest 134.Further, in some embodiments, Reference and/or tracking ultrasound generating unit 166 as in Figure 3-5 can be used to produce a series of second Following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal, this second tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe shown in Fig. 2 The second ultrasonic probe 172 shown in 102 or Fig. 4, so that a series of second tracking ultrasonic beam is sent out It is incident upon the second mark position 124 of area-of-interest 134.Certainly, as described above, one In a little embodiments, it is also possible to define or select single mark position, therefore, this ultrasonic probe 102 Or it is single to this that the second ultrasonic probe 172 may be configured to launch single a series of tracking ultrasonic beam Mark position, to follow the trail of shearing wave displacement.
In step 5008, the method 5000 continues executing with, to calculate by acoustic radiation motive force effect Target location around the shear displacemant of one or more target location.In one embodiment, The shear displacemant of the first mark position 122 can be by by transmitting first with reference to ultrasonic pulse wave beam and The signal that series the first tracking ultrasonic beam is obtained processes and obtains.Further, at the second labelling The shear displacemant occurred at position 124 can be by by transmission second with reference to ultrasonic pulse wave beam and being Row second are followed the trail of the obtained signal of ultrasonic beam and are processed and obtain.
In step 5012, the method 5000 continues executing with, and promotes with by applying acoustic radiation to calculate The various shearing wave characterisitic parameters that shearing wave produced by power is relevant.More specifically, this step 5012 is wrapped Enclosed tool step 5014, in sub-step 5014, the shearing wave displacement data at least based on this calculating calculates This shearing wave characterisitic parameter.In one embodiment, calculate according to the shearing wave displacement data of this calculating Shearing wave travels to the time required for the second mark position 124 from the first mark position 122.Further, After calculating this shearing wave propagation time, can by by known the first mark position 122 He Distance between second mark position 124 was divided by with this shearing wave propagation time, to obtain shearing wave propagation Speed or speed.
This step 5012 also includes sub-step 5016, in sub-step 5016, at least based on cutting of calculating Cut wave property parameter and calculate the viscoelastic data of area-of-interest.As described above, can be according to above Formula (1) and formula (2) calculate the Young's modulus etc. of area-of-interest.In other embodiments, Additive method, such as Finite Element Method can also be used to calculate the viscoelastic data of area-of-interest.
Figure 12 show the method that the determination of present invention offer is organized in the mechanical property at multiple frequency A kind of flow chart of the embodiment of 6000.In step 6002, the method 6000 starts to perform, and carries For a series of command signals for producing multi-frequency acoustic radiation motive force.In one embodiment, often One command signal has single frequency values, such as, has sine-shaped signal.Implement at other In mode, each command signal can also be for the signal being synthesized into by two single-frequency signals.
In step 6004, the method 6000 continues executing with, every with judge in the plurality of command signal One is the most all selected to produce acoustic radiation motive force.If this result of determination is true, that is, should Each in multiple command signals has been selected to produce corresponding acoustic radiation motive force, the method the most 6000 continue to turn to step 6012 to perform, and this step 6012 will be described in more detail below.On the other hand, If this result of determination is false, namely each of the most multiple command signal is selected to produce the most Corresponding acoustic radiation motive force, the method 6000 turns to step 6006 to perform.
In step 6006, the method 6000 continues executing with, and according to selected command signal, produces Multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signals being configured of certain pulses pattern.As described above, according to institute The command signal with characteristic frequency waveform selected, each in the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal Can be conditioned or be modified as that there is specific pulse width, time span or dutycycle.The plurality of Ultrasonic driving pulse signal is transferred into ultrasonic probe, and is converted thereof into focusing ultrasound wave by ultrasonic probe. When this focusing ultrasonic emitting is to the target location of area-of-interest, produce acoustic radiation motive force, go forward side by side one Step causes generation shearing wave near target location.
In step 6008, the method 6000 continues executing with, and collects by cutting that acoustic radiation motive force causes Cut the data signal that wave motion is relevant.More specifically, as it has been described above, collect by launching to the first labelling Data signal obtained by the ultrasonic echo that a series of the first of position 122 is followed the trail of ultrasonic beam and return, And collect the surpassing of returning by a series of second tracking ultrasonic beams of transmitting to the second mark position 124 Data signal obtained by sound echo.
In step 6012, the method 6000 continues executing with, with the data signal obtained according to this collection Calculate the characterisitic parameter of shearing wave.More specifically, the shearing baud at multiple frequency values can be calculated Property parameter.Such as, in one embodiment, one or more methods or algorithm can be passed through, Including but not limited to, cross-correlation method, method based on model (such as, FEM (finite element) model) is according to institute The shearing wave displacement data obtained calculates spread speed or the speed etc. of shearing wave.When command signal has When having first frequency, this calculated shearing wave characterisitic parameter can include the first shearing wave spread speed Or speed;And when command signal has second frequency, this calculated shearing wave characterisitic parameter can To include the second shearing wave spread speed or speed.
In step 6014, the method 6000 continues executing with, according at least to calculated shearing baud Property parameter calculate area-of-interest viscoelastic data.More specifically, in one embodiment, can To calculate the sense of destination organization according at least to parameters such as calculated shearing wave spread speed or speed Interest region viscoelastic data at multiple frequency values.In one embodiment, have when command signal When having first frequency, the of correspondence can be obtained according to this first shearing wave spread speed or rate calculations One viscoelastic data;And when command signal has second frequency, can propagate according to this second shearing wave Speed or rate calculations obtain the second viscoelastic data of correspondence.As explained above with described by Fig. 8, can The relation curve changed with frequency with the spread speed or speed that are determined by shearing wave, evaluates this mesh The viscoelastic relative size of the area-of-interest of mark tissue, and the information of viscoelasticity relative size is for auxiliary Help and determine that whether destination organization is associated with specific disease and be helpful to.
Although describing the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiment, but those skilled in the art can To understand, the present invention be may be made that many amendments and modification.It is therefore contemplated that, claims Be intended to contain all such modifications in true spirit of the present invention and scope and modification.

Claims (13)

1. one kind is used for determining the viscoelastic device of destination organization, it is characterised in that: this device includes ultrasonic Driving pulse generation unit, the first ultrasonic probe unit, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity calculate Unit;This ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is configured to have signal specific according to what at least one was preset The command signal of waveform regulates pulse width or the dutycycle of multiple ultrasonic driving pulse signals;This is first years old Ultrasonic probe unit communicates to connect with this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, this first ultrasonic probe unit quilt The ultrasonic driving pulse letter with certain pulses width or dutycycle after being configured to according to the plurality of regulation Number effect acoustic radiation motive force is to the area-of-interest of this destination organization, to produce at least one in this target The shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of tissue, this acoustic radiation motive force and the shearing wave being generated by The waveform of at least one command signal of waveform and this corresponding;This shearing wave computing unit be configured to Few based on the data calculating relevant to the shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of this destination organization obtained Go out the characterisitic parameter of this shearing wave;This viscoelasticity computing unit communicates to connect with this shearing wave computing unit, This viscoelasticity computing unit is configured to the area-of-interest at least based on this this destination organization calculated Shearing wave characterisitic parameter calculates the viscoelastic data of the area-of-interest of this destination organization.
2. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit quilt Be further configured to according to sinusoidal command signal regulate the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal pulse width or Person's dutycycle.
3. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit quilt It is further configured to according to by there is the first component of first frequency waveform and having the of second frequency waveform This at least one command signal of two component synthesis regulates the pulse width of the plurality of ultrasonic driving pulse signal Or dutycycle.
4. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this first ultrasonic probe unit is entered one Step is configured to according to the many groups ultrasonic pulse driving signal effect multiple acoustic radiation motive force provided to this target The area-of-interest of tissue, this many groups ultrasonic pulse driving signal produces according to the command signal of different frequency Forming, this viscoelasticity computing unit is further configured to calculate the area-of-interest of this tissue with frequency The viscoelastic data of change.
5. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this device farther includes the first transmitting Circuit, with reference to ultrasonic pulse generation unit, and follows the trail of ultrasonic pulse generation unit;This first transmitting electricity Road electrically connects with this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, and this first radiating circuit is configured to ultrasonic push away this The ultrasonic driving pulse signal that moving pulse generation unit produces is transferred to this first ultrasonic probe unit;This ginseng Examine ultrasonic pulse generation unit to electrically connect with this first radiating circuit, this reference ultrasonic pulse generation unit quilt It is configured to produce with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal, and by this first radiating circuit by this reference ultrasonic pulsative signal Send this first ultrasonic probe unit to;This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit and this first radiating circuit electricity Connect;This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit is configured to produce a series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal, and By this first radiating circuit to this series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal sent this first ultrasonic probe unit.
6. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this device farther includes: first Radio road, the second radiating circuit, the second ultrasonic probe unit, with reference to ultrasonic pulse generation unit, and Follow the trail of ultrasonic pulse generation unit;This first radiating circuit electrically connects with this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, This first radiating circuit is configured to the ultrasonic driving pulse letter produced by this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit Number it is transferred to this first ultrasonic probe unit;This second ultrasonic probe unit is electrically connected with this second radiating circuit Connect;This reference ultrasonic pulse generation unit electrically connects with this second radiating circuit, and this reference ultrasonic pulse is produced Raw unit is configured to produce with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal, and by this second radiating circuit by this with reference to ultrasonic Pulse signal sends this second ultrasonic probe unit to;This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit with this second Radio road electrically connects;This tracking ultrasonic pulse generation unit is configured to produce a series of tracking ultrasonic pulse Signal, and it is second ultrasonic by this second radiating circuit, this series of tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal to send this to Contact unit.
7. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this device farther includes: receive electricity Road and displacement computing unit;This reception circuit electrically connects with this first ultrasonic probe unit, this displacement meter Calculating unit to electrically connect with this reception circuit, this displacement computing unit is configured to calculate and at this destination organization The relevant displacement data of the shearing wave propagated of area-of-interest, wherein, this shearing wave computing unit is at least Shearing wave propagation rate is calculated according to this displacement data.
8. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that: this device farther includes display device, This display device is display configured to this calculated viscoelastic data.
9. including a system for ultrasonic probe, it is interested that this ultrasonic probe is configured to destination organization The ultrasound wave that field emission ultrasound wave and reception are at least partly reflected back from this area-of-interest, with to this sense Interest region carries out imaging, it is characterised in that: this ultrasonic probe is further configured to believe at ultrasonic driving pulse Number effect lower effect sinusoidal wave form or the acoustic radiation motive force of cosine waveform to this area-of-interest, with This area-of-interest is produced under the effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of this sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform Sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform.
10. including a system for ultrasonic probe, this ultrasonic probe is configured to the sense of destination organization emerging Interest field emission ultrasound wave and reception are at least partly from the ultrasound wave being reflected back from this area-of-interest, with right This area-of-interest carries out imaging, it is characterised in that: this ultrasonic probe includes the first ultrasonic sensing element group Group, the second ultrasonic sensing element group and the 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group, this first ultrasonic sensing unit Part group is configured under the effect of ultrasonic driving pulse signal apply sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform Acoustic radiation motive force is to this area-of-interest, so that this area-of-interest is at this sinusoidal wave form or cosine The effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of waveform is lower produces sinusoidal wave form or the shearing wave of cosine waveform;This is second years old Ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to launch the first reference under the first effect with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal Ultrasonic beam is to the first mark position around this area-of-interest, and this second ultrasonic sensing element group is also It is configured under a series of first effect following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal, launch the first tracking ultrasonic beam extremely This first mark position;3rd ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to believe with reference to ultrasonic pulse second Number effect lower launch second with reference to the second mark position around ultrasonic beam to this area-of-interest, should 3rd ultrasonic sensing element group is further configured under a series of second effect following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signals Launch the second tracking ultrasonic beam to this second mark position.
11. 1 kinds of ultrasonic image-forming systems, it is characterised in that: this ultrasonic image-forming system includes discrete setting First ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe, this first ultrasonic probe is configured to believe at ultrasonic driving pulse Number effect lower effect sinusoidal wave form or the acoustic radiation motive force of cosine waveform to area-of-interest so that Obtain this area-of-interest just to produce under the effect of the acoustic radiation motive force of this sinusoidal wave form or cosine waveform String waveform or the shearing wave of cosine waveform;This second ultrasonic probe includes the first ultrasonic component group and Two ultrasonic component groups, this first ultrasonic sensing element group is configured to believe with reference to ultrasonic pulse first Number effect lower launch first with reference to the first mark position around ultrasonic beam to this area-of-interest, should First ultrasonic sensing element group is further configured under a series of first effect following the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signals Launch the first tracking ultrasonic beam to this first mark position;This second ultrasonic sensing element group is configured Become and under the second effect with reference to ultrasonic pulsative signal, launch second with reference to ultrasonic beam to this area-of-interest The second mark position around, this second ultrasonic sensing element group is further configured to chase after a series of second The second tracking ultrasonic beam is launched to this second mark position under the effect of track ultrasonic pulsative signal.
12. 1 kinds of elastogram devices based on shearing wave, it is characterised in that: this elastogram device bag Include ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, ultrasonic probe, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity and calculate single Unit;This ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is configured to have signal specific ripple according to what at least one was preset The command signal of shape produces the first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal, and this is first years old Ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second ultrasonic driving pulse signal have different pulse widths;This is ultrasonic Probe with this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit communicate to connect, this ultrasonic probe be configured to according to this first Ultrasonic driving pulse signal and the second ultrasonic driving pulse signal function acoustic radiation motive force are to destination organization Area-of-interest, to produce at least one shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of this destination organization; This ultrasonic probe is further configured to follow the trail of ultrasonic pulsative signal according to first and launches the first tracking ultrasound wave Restrainting the first mark position around the area-of-interest of this destination organization, this ultrasonic probe is also by further It is configured to follow the trail of pulse signal according to second and launches interested to this destination organization of the second tracking ultrasonic beam The second mark position adjacent with this first mark position around region, this first tracking ultrasonic pulsative signal With this second follow the trail of pulsed ultrasonic signal be positioned in sequential this first ultrasonic driving pulse signal and this second Between ultrasonic driving pulse signal;This shearing wave computing unit is configured at least based on by this first labelling It is relevant that position follows the trail of ultrasonic beam with the first tracking ultrasonic beam that this second mark position is reflected back with second Data calculate the characterisitic parameter of this shearing wave;This viscoelasticity computing unit and this shearing wave computing unit Communication connection, this viscoelasticity computing unit is configured to the sense at least based on this this destination organization calculated The shearing wave characterisitic parameter in interest region calculates the viscoelastic data of the area-of-interest of this destination organization.
13. 1 kinds of elastogram devices based on shearing wave, it is characterised in that: this elastogram device bag Include ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit, ultrasonic probe, shearing wave computing unit, and viscoelasticity and calculate single Unit;The first command signal that this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is configured to according to having first frequency produces Raw first group of ultrasonic driving pulse signal, this ultrasonic driving pulse generation unit is further configured to according to having Second command signal of second frequency produces second group of ultrasonic driving pulse signal;This ultrasonic probe is according to being somebody's turn to do First group of ultrasonic driving pulse signal produces the first acoustic radiation motive force to the area-of-interest of destination organization, With produce in the area-of-interest of this destination organization propagate the first shearing wave, this ultrasonic probe according to This second group ultrasonic driving pulse signal produces rising tone radiation power to the region of interest of this destination organization Territory, to produce the second shearing wave propagated in the area-of-interest of this destination organization;This shearing wave meter Calculate unit be configured at least based on obtain with in the area-of-interest of this destination organization propagate with this The data that the first shearing wave is relevant with the second shearing wave calculate the first shearing wave characterisitic parameter and second Shearing wave characterisitic parameter;This viscoelasticity computing unit communicates to connect with this shearing wave computing unit, this viscoelastic What property computing unit was configured to the area-of-interest at least based on this this destination organization calculated first cuts Cut wave property parameter and the second shearing wave characterisitic parameter calculate this destination organization area-of-interest with this The first viscoelastic data that first frequency is corresponding and second viscoelastic data corresponding with this second frequency.
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